Pretreatment of albino rats with aqueous leaf extract of <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> protects against alcohol-induced liver damage

Abstract

Purpose: The effect of the aqueous extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf on hepatic lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant status was studied in chronic alcohol-induced liver damage. Method: Alcohol-induced liver toxicity was created by oral administration of 40% alcohol solution (v/v, 1ml/100g) to rats for 6 weeks. Other groups of rats were pretreated with 200 and 400 mg/kg bw aqueous extracts of Ziziphus mauritianaleaf or 100 mg/kg bw silymarin (reference drug) 30 min prior to alcohol ingestion. Body weight of rats was monitored weekly. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and liver total antioxidant status, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Result: Rats that received alcohol only showed significantly (p